PASSAIC, N.J. (CNS) -- Retired Bishop Andrew Pataki of the Byzantine Diocese of Passaic died Dec. 8 after an automobile accident in New Jersey. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, about 60 miles from Passaic, where he died from his injuries. Bishop Pataki was 84.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: The reception of the Bishop's body will be Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 5 PM at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, 96 First St., Passaic. The bishop will lie in state from 5:30-7 PM with services at 7 PM. Wednesday the Bishop will lie in state at the Cathedral, 10 AM-1 PM, and 6-7 PM with services at 7 PM. Funeral services will be Thursday, December 15, 2011, 10 AM, with Hierarchical Funeral Divine Liturgy for a Bishop and pouring of oil with Panachida. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Uniontown, PA on Friday at 1 PM.

Bishop Pataki had headed the diocese from 1996 to 2008. Ordained a priest of the Passaic Diocese in 1952, he also served as auxiliary bishop of Passaic, 1983-84, and bishop of the Byzantine Diocese of Parma, Ohio, 1984-95. Installed as bishop of Parma Aug. 16, 1984, he was named bishop of Passaic Nov. 6, 1995, and installed there Feb. 8, 1996. The Passaic Diocese covers Byzantine and Ruthenian Catholics living in New England and on the East Coast.

Bishop Pataki was the former chairman of U.S. bishops' Committee on the Relationship Between Eastern and Latin Catholic Churches. He also was a regular presence at the Vigil for Life in Washington, leading rosaries or night prayer in the Byzantine tradition at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception the night before the annual March for Life.

May His Memory Be Eternal!